0. Russian Culture: Introduction
- What this series is NOT: Commercial (I am against the commercialization of the Internet); Reductionism (neither pro- or anti-Russian); objective (nothing can be; see Sontag’s On Photography, the rare work that, in my judgement, actually answers a deep philosophical question fully); a travel guide; simplified.
- I am not “anti-capitalist”, and in particular, I don’t believe that capitalism is unnatural, modern, or inherently evil. I am more critical of wage labor and corporatism, but not entirely opposed to those, either. I simply believe that attempting to obtain money or things-of-value (this has the meaning as in the IRS tax code) is, while not an inherently “bad” activity, nevertheless an activity that must be subject to reasonable restrictions. Many such restrictions exist. For example, Western society generally doesn’t consider it acceptable to bribe public figures as a business practice, nor do we consider that accepting bribes is a legitimate way to obtain money – even if the bribe is consensual on both parties. We similarly believe it to be wrongful to bribe physicians (story related to Koss and ADHD medication -“you on amphetamines wouldn’t be pretty”). We similarly believe it to be wrongful to engage in prostitution, either as a customer or provider. There are exceptions, of course – a certain American politician opposed criminalization of bribery (CLIP), and a certain Angloid man – who has now obtained American citizenship and mocked that politician for proposing that bribery be legal – himself argued that prostitution should be legal.
- However, I don’t agree with either of these arguments – nor with ANY argument for moral weakness. I believe that governence is something special, and while politicians should be paid fairly for their work, that pay must not come from bribes. I believe that the physician-patient relationship is something special, and while doctors should be paid fairly for their work, that pay must not come from kickbacks for prescribing controlled substances (or other abuses of power – locking up a troublesome relative in a mental hospital, for example). I believe that sexuality is something special, and likewise, must not be commercialized. I’m not opposed to fireworks or aircraft, but an aircraft is not the place to set off fireworks. (Expanding brain meme). I am not opposed to Capitalism or the Internet, but the Internet is not an acceptable “place” to engage in capitalism. The comparison to prostitution, while the most uncomfortable, is probably the most apt.
- The intention of this series is to deal with topics in a nuanced manner, and to focus as much on “low-temperature” (low-controversy) topics as “high-temperature”, or more controversial, ones. Put differently, this series isn’t about clickbait, money, sponsorships, views, follows, subscribers, or anything else. I don’t write for likes; I write whatever I like.
1. Russian Culture: Asking Personal Questions
- This is the first entry because it represents the most unusual aspect of Russian culture.
- The case of the man who removed my glove to search for a wedding ring.
- Questions about money (“do you have a big money?” – probably a man to avoid),